Michael Jones
New member
The building is a separate structure on the property.
Accessory use buildings ARE allowed in SF1 zoning, in Austin.
The limitations in Austin have to do with a maximum of 60% impervious cover on a lot zoned SF1.
Impervious cover is roof-tops, driveways, sidewalks, gazebos... basically anything that would provide an impervious barrier to rainfall.
During the preliminary zoning review, the rooms wern't labeled with anything at all. One of the reviewers requested (over the phone) a label for the rooms. I said, well, ones a control room, ones a live room, and ones a isolation booth ones a kitchenette, and ones a bathroom.
Long pause over the phone.....
He said, "What's a Control Room"? I explained, and he said, "well, since its up for review today, I'm just going to write in Media Room, and Game Room, because the other reviewers aren't going to know what a "Control Room" is."
"OK, Fine", I say, but you understand this permit use is for recording services.
He replies, "As long as its a service, and you're not selling merchandise, that's fine, but when you submit for building permit, label them as "Media Room, Game Room" since thats how its going through zoning.
I actually got MORE flack for the bathroom, than I did for anything else.
In SF1 zoning, I'm allowed a separate "Guest House" which can be a fully functional house with kitchen, bedrooms, bath... the whole nine yards.
But their concern was that it could have been used as a rental, because it was detached from the main house. A guest house is technically supposed to be connected to the main house by a breeze-way, or portichier. A free standing guest house doesn't abide by SF1 zoning regulations. But a free standing accessory use building does. I had to point out that there wasn't a shower or bath proposed with this project, and given such it couldn't be used as a rental, in order to get them to sign off on it.
Now, there are still a slew of other regulations I have to comply with. Probably the most severe one is the 3 vehicles per day.
Also, I can't have have any employees, but that's OK with me.
Keep in mind though that this is first and foremost a project studio, for my own personal use.
I will market it towards others that want to record there, but that's not its primary use. I will say this though:
If someone comes over to your place to record, they are AN INVITED GUEST, weather they pay you or not.
Zoning regulations change, ALL THE TIME. So make sure you're reviewing the current ordanance. Also, there may be DEED RESTRTICTIONS, sometimes also called CRC's or CONDITIONS, RESTRICTIONS, and COVENANTS, placed upon a tract of land that may prohibit what zoning does not.
So, research it thoroughly, or take Rod's advice, and hire an attorney to do it for you.
Accessory use buildings ARE allowed in SF1 zoning, in Austin.
The limitations in Austin have to do with a maximum of 60% impervious cover on a lot zoned SF1.
Impervious cover is roof-tops, driveways, sidewalks, gazebos... basically anything that would provide an impervious barrier to rainfall.
During the preliminary zoning review, the rooms wern't labeled with anything at all. One of the reviewers requested (over the phone) a label for the rooms. I said, well, ones a control room, ones a live room, and ones a isolation booth ones a kitchenette, and ones a bathroom.
Long pause over the phone.....
He said, "What's a Control Room"? I explained, and he said, "well, since its up for review today, I'm just going to write in Media Room, and Game Room, because the other reviewers aren't going to know what a "Control Room" is."
"OK, Fine", I say, but you understand this permit use is for recording services.
He replies, "As long as its a service, and you're not selling merchandise, that's fine, but when you submit for building permit, label them as "Media Room, Game Room" since thats how its going through zoning.
I actually got MORE flack for the bathroom, than I did for anything else.
In SF1 zoning, I'm allowed a separate "Guest House" which can be a fully functional house with kitchen, bedrooms, bath... the whole nine yards.
But their concern was that it could have been used as a rental, because it was detached from the main house. A guest house is technically supposed to be connected to the main house by a breeze-way, or portichier. A free standing guest house doesn't abide by SF1 zoning regulations. But a free standing accessory use building does. I had to point out that there wasn't a shower or bath proposed with this project, and given such it couldn't be used as a rental, in order to get them to sign off on it.
Now, there are still a slew of other regulations I have to comply with. Probably the most severe one is the 3 vehicles per day.
Also, I can't have have any employees, but that's OK with me.
Keep in mind though that this is first and foremost a project studio, for my own personal use.
I will market it towards others that want to record there, but that's not its primary use. I will say this though:
If someone comes over to your place to record, they are AN INVITED GUEST, weather they pay you or not.
Zoning regulations change, ALL THE TIME. So make sure you're reviewing the current ordanance. Also, there may be DEED RESTRTICTIONS, sometimes also called CRC's or CONDITIONS, RESTRICTIONS, and COVENANTS, placed upon a tract of land that may prohibit what zoning does not.
So, research it thoroughly, or take Rod's advice, and hire an attorney to do it for you.
